Removal of lead by water hyacinth

摘要

Lead removal from synthetic lead spiked water by water hyacinth (Eichhomia crassipes Mart) solms has been investigated to explore the performance of the aquatic plants as lead accumulator. The batch kinetics sorption studies have been described by a linearised Freundlich isotherm which indicate that 85-92% of lead removal is possible for a retention period of 10 days at pH 7.0-7.5 between initial lead concentration range 0.5-10 mg/L under specified environmental condition. It is observed that the sorption of lead is not much dependent on pH although the cessation of growth and wilting up of the plant occurred below pH 4.5.